Prithvi Shaw is coming back to the Delhi Capitals. The opener got his spot in the IPL 2026 auction. Delhi picked him up for ₹75 lakh. He went unsold two times before this happened.
Shaw’s Emotional Return to Delhi Capitals
The auction room saw drama when Prithvi Shaw’s name came up. Nobody raised the paddle initially. Shaw’s name sat there, watching teams pass on him twice. Then Delhi Capitals stepped in. They placed their bid at the base price.
This wasn’t just any purchase. Shaw started his entire IPL journey with this franchise back in 2018. Delhi paid ₹1.20 crore for the young talent then. He wore their colours proudly until 2024.
Now he gets to wear them again. The connection between player and team runs deep. Both sides know each other well.
His Recent Cricket Journey
Prithvi Shaw worked hard in domestic tournaments lately. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 saw him bat well. He made 183 runs across seven games. His strike rate crossed 160 marks. That’s aggressive cricket at its best.
But let’s talk about the struggles too. Shaw faced tough times in IPL 2023 and 2024 combined. Only 304 runs came from 16 matches during those seasons. In 2021, he smashed 479 runs that year.
Everything clicked for him back then. Delhi released him before IPL 2025 started. The mega-auction didn’t go his way either. He switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra in domestic cricket. Fresh starts sometimes bring better results.
Looking Ahead to IPL 2026
Prithvi Shaw earned this second chance in the IPL 2026 Auction through persistence. His complete IPL stats tell an interesting story. He has 1,892 runs from 79 matches played. The average sits at 23.94 with a 147.46 strike rate. Raw talent clearly exists there.
The ₹75 lakh price tag might seem small compared to before. But money doesn’t define a player’s worth. Shaw has the fire in him to succeed again. Delhi Capitals backed him when others didn’t. That kind of trust matters hugely.
Cricket fans remember Shaw’s explosive starts. Those quick runs at the top of the order win matches. He just needs consistent performances now. The team management will support his growth. IPL 2026 could be his redemption season. Everyone loves a good comeback story in cricket.
